Hydraulically operated air compressor and the like



, May l2', 1931.l c, LAJWESQNl ET AL v 1,804,876

HYDRAULIGALLY OPERATED AIR COMPRESSOR AND THE LIKE iii/V722 H ff -Maly 12, 1931. A. c. JAMlEsoN ET AL HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED AIR COMPRESSOR AND THE LIKE File@ Aug. 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented` May 12, 1931 y i iiNiTnD STATES PATENT oFFicgE AUBREY CARLYLR JAMIRSON, or KRWJOHN FRANCIS GARDINRR, OF- GARDRNVALE, AND wiLLiAivr'zrOiiN iaanoNALn, or PRESTON, AUSTRALIA HYDRAULICALLY OPERATRD AIR COMPRESSOR AND THRLIKE 4Appiicaaon` fii'edyaugust 5, i929, serial No.

This invention relates to improvements inand connected with hydraulically operated air compressors and refers especially to compressors for cliargingreceivers and for in flatinU neumatic tires of motorV vehicles and other inflatable sacks orbags. i

TheV Object of the presentinvention is to provide a hydraulicallyoperated device of` simple, efcient and compact construction adapted to supply air orthe-like under pressure 'for' charging receivers or inflating-pneuf matic tubesor sacks.

We' accomplish the aboveme'ntioned objects by providing, in hydraulically operated air Vzo compressor mechanism, a valve or valves for supplying water under pressure to and for discharging it from the compressor, and resilient means associatedwith a member controlled by the water supplied to the compres- 'i sor for rapidly openingfandclosing the valve or valves at regularintervals.

The compressor-may be of the type wherein air is compressed in a chamber by the direct f ydisplacement of water, the said chamber being fittedwith parts provided with suction `and discharge valves of approved type for permitting the ingress and yegress of air.v

More specifically the invent-ion comprises a compressor chamber having inlet andv discharge pipes projecting thereinto andA having closed ends, a sleevevalve oscillatively mounted on'the ends of the inlet anddischarge pipes, 'ports in the inlet and discharge pipes adapted to register with coacting ports in the sleeve valve, a float or floats Vin the chamber, and mechanism Vcontrolled by the Hoat or` floats for periodically actuatingthevv `sleeveto open and close the inlet 'and dis-V` accompanying sheets of explanatory drawf ings wherein: i f i Figure 1 isa view in sectional elevation of a hydraulically operated air compressor conf- 383,`598, andV in` Australia kAugiiist 13, 1928.

Figure 1. f i

Figure 3 is a View in sectional side eleva,- tion'of part of the invention which'will be hereinafter fully described, and n igures land 5 are views in sectional elevation of Figurel 3 takenV ony the dotted lines 4 v. and 5 respectively.

Figure 6 isa view in sectionalv elevation of a modified form of the invention.

' Figure 7 is a view in sectional side elevation ot Figure 6. l

' Figure 8 is a sectional plan of Figure 6J taken kon the dotted line 8-8. f Y Figure 9 is a View in perspective of a'detail which will hereinafter be fully described.

In these drawings the reference numeral 1() designates an air-tight chamber of cylindri` calformatioii having its upper and lower ends fitted with cover plates 11.V The cover plate at the upper'end of the cylindrical chamber is provided with an air inlet port12 having a vspring or gravity actuated suctionvalvel?) of approved type,'and a port le furnished sectional yplan of i with a delivery pipe 15 adapted to discharge v compressed air either to a receiver (not shown) an automobile tire;y or other device.

Parallelly disposed inlet and discharge pipes 16 andjl? are litted'to the lower cover plate and project into the cylindrical chain- 4bei", and the upper ends thereof are connected lby a horizontal pipe 18 provided with a centrally disposed partition `19, isolating the inlet and discharge portions thereof.

Ak plurality of ports comprising longitudinally disposed slots 20 are formed in the horizontal pipe on the inlet side of the partition and a series of slots 21-are arranged in the horizontal pipe onthe discharge side of the partition.

These ports or' slots 21 preferably are greater in number than the ports or slots 20 and the discharge pipe 17 may be larger than the inlet pipe. a i

A sleeve 22 is fitted externally on the hori-Y zontal pipe 18 connecting the ends of the inlet and dischargepipes and' suitablestops (not shown) may be provided to permit of Yder pressure.

a limited oscillatory movement thereof. rlhis sleeve 22 is arranged to cover the inlet and discharge ports and 21 in the horizontal pipe and is provided with a plurality of ports 23 and 24 conforming in shape to and adapted to register therewith. It will be understood that, when the slots in the inlet portion of the horizontal pipe register with the coacting ports in the sleeve. the discharge ports on the opposite side of the partition are closed as they are out Vof register with the correspending portsformed in the Sleeve.

A bracket or pedestal 25 is arranged within the chamber adjacent tothe inlet and discharge pipes and may be fitted to or formed integrally with the lower cover plate.

The bracket or pedestal 25 is provided with a laterally projecting pivot pin 26 and an arm 27 pivotally mounted thereon is loosely engaged by jaws 28 or like members iitted to the exterior of the oscillatable sleeve.

An arm 29 of curved formation shaped to pass partially around the horizontal pipe within the chamber is tted to or formed integrally with the tiret-mentioned or operatinfr arm 27 and the free end thereof is pivotally connected to rone end of a plunger 30 slidably mounted in a co-aXial tubular `member 31 pivotally.supported on a bracket 32. The bracket 32 is situated on the opposite side of the horizontal pipe 18 to the bracket 25.

A compression spring 33 "encircles the telescopically connected members 30 and 31 and its opposite endsbear against collars on each member near the pivot point thereof.

This last-mentioned arrangement constitutes a toggle and the pivotal supports for the same are constructed in such a way as Ato obviate any undue lateral movement when the toggle is displaced angularly in either direction. Y

A further arm 34. rigidly associated with the operating arm of the sleeve valve, is pivotally connected at or near its tree end to the lower end of a vertical rod or spindle 35, the upper end of which has a lost motion connection with a sheet metal or other approved form .0f float 36 arranged within thepcham- In one yform of the invention the lost motion connection maybe effected by providing two collars 37 on the control rod adapted to engage an intermediately disposed abutment 38 'fitted Within an opening formed centrally in the float.

In operation, the' inlet pipe 16 is connected by approved means to a source of water un- ",[t will be understood that, when the float 36 is in its lowermost position, the inlet ports 2D are open and the `discharge ports 21 closed by means of the associated sleeve valve-22- Water thus passes-into one end of the horizontal pipe andthence into the cylindrical chamber through the ports 1.6 and Q3 the inlet valve.

As the water rises in the chamber, the air valve 13 previously mentioned is maintained on its'seat by means of the spring associated therewith and the air in the chamber is consequently compressed. When the air pressure reaches a desired magnitude, a valve 39 in the delivery pipe 15, receiver, or in a tire connected thereto, is automatically opened and the compressed air is discharged from the chamber. i i Y A A The iioat is elevated as the water level rises within the chamber and, after a predetermined upward movement, is effected, the abutment 38 on the float engages with the upper collar 37 on and elevates the control rod 35. rlhis upward movement of the control rod causes a corresponding displacement of the second-mentioned arm 29 on the plunger 30 and pivotally mounted tube associated therewith, and, during this initial movement, the spring 33 is compressed bythe plunger and, immediately the dead centre position is passed, the spring is relieved and forces the `plunger outwardly until further angular movement of the tubular member is arrested by the arm 29 contacting with the sleeve 22. During this movementthe` control rod y is projected upwardly, and the upper collar 37 thereon is moved away romthe abutment on the float. Simultaneously with these movements, the operating arm 27 is displaced to actuate the sleeve valve 22 through the medium of the jaws 23 fitted thereto as previously described.v

t will be understood that no movement of the sleeve valve takes place till after the dead centre position of the toggle members 30 and 31 has been reached, after which the valve rapidly moves across to the discharge position.

The level of water within the chamber immediately commences to fall as the water is discharged through the discharge ports 21 and 24 of the valve and the pipe associated therewith. The air pressure within v.the

chamber is consequently relieved and immediately it falls below that ot the atmosphere, the air valve 13 is opened by the preponderanceofpressure on the top thereof.

Vhen the water has fallen t-o a predetermined level within the chamber, the float engages the lowercollar 37 on, and depresses the control rod'35, thus causing theteggle members 30 and 31 to pass 'their dead centre position in the opposite direction, the

result that the sleeve yalve 22 is again rapidly displaced to close the discharge por'ts 21 and 24 and open the inlet portsf20' and 23, so that the cycle of ope-rations is repeated until the source of water isturned oit by means of a cock provided for the purpose.

To prevent Vany water passing into the air delivery pipe in the event of a detect occurring in the valve mechanism, a iioat operated cut-0E valve (not shown) may be provided Figures 6 to-9A of the drawings 'the cylinder 10 is provided with cover plates l1 and the upper cover plate is provided with an air inlet port having a valve 13 and with an outlet port 14 having a valve 39 therein arranged as liereinbefore described.

The lower cover plate is provided ywith inlet and discharge ports 40 and 41 and bosses depending from the sa-id cover plate and arranged concentrically with the ports are screw threaded to permit water inlet and discharge pipes (not shown) to'be detachably connected thereto. Y

Secured to the top of the lower cover .plate in line with the inlet and-discharge ports are verticallv arranged cylindrical-valve chambers 42 and 43, respectively.

l These valve chambers 42 and y43 are varranged in communication with the interior of- Y the compressor chamber or cylinder lOby means of ports 2O and 21 and by corresponding ports V23 and 24 formed in sleeve valves rotatively mounted on the same.

The ports in the valve chambers 42 Aand 43 and the ports in the sleeve valves 22 surrounding the same are constructed and arranged identically with those sliown in Figures l to` 4 of the drawings.

The sleeve valves 22'are retained neatly in position on the valve chambers 42`and 43 by any approved means and axially disposed pedestals 44 project upwardly Yfrom the said valve chambers. The upper ends ofthe pedestals are adapted to support inwardly projecting pivot pins 45 and these pivot pins are connected by toggle members toa horizontally disposed pivot member 46supported in a bracket 47 fitted to the lower cover plate intermediate thevalve' chambers 42 and 43.

The toggle members normally are adapted to project at an` angle on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing centrally through4 the chamber 1() and the lower member of each toggle constitutes a straight link whilst they upper member comprises a plunger 30 and tubular member 31 encircled by a compression spring 33 as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures l and 2`of the drawings.

The lower memberY 48 of each toggle is provided with angularly disposed arms 49 I having pins 50 or studs projecting laterally therefrom. These pins or studs A50 are adapted upon the angular displacement of theA toggle members to contact with an arm projecting radially from the adjacent sleeve valve 22 whereby the valve will be opened and closed by the force of the springs associated with the toggle members when the said members pass over their deadv centre positions as hereinbefore described.

A bracket 52 depending from the float 36 is A connected by a series of diagonal levers pivoted together at the middlecaiid ends in the form oflazy tongs 53 to the pivot pin 46 supporting the toggle members.

The lowermost levers of the lazy tongs are pivoted to the pin 46 intermediate the lower members of the toggle levers and abutment members 54 and 55 on the said lowermost levers are adapted to Contact with and actuate'the toggle members upon the open` -ing and closing o-f the lazy tongs due t-o the Ypin 46.. The abutment 54 is arranged to bear against one side of the lower toggle members 'when the float is rising in the chamber 10 and the abutment 55 is adapted to bear against the opposite side of the lower toggle mein- Vbers when they lazy tongs are being closed by the descent of the fioat.` The abutments 54 and 55 likewise may serve' to limit the Vmovement of thetoggles and the oscillating movement imparted to the sleeve valves 22 when they are displaced by the springs upon their central portions being moved beyond the dead 'centre position in either direction. Y

ln order to positively limit the oscillating movement ofthe valve'22 yarms 56 projecting radially from the sides thereof are adapted to contact with pins or abutment members 57 projectingupwardly from the lower end plate. l

In order to ensure the positive Voperation ofthe toggle members and the actuation lof the sleeve valves prior to the oat reaching the top of the cylinder 10 a lost motion connection-i's provided betweenthe lowermost levers'of the lazy ytongs and the float. 'This lost motion connection may'comp'rise eftensions 58`on the'ends of the lowermost levers having rods 59 pivotally Y'connected thereto and passing upwardly through passages 60 in thefloat." c `l y The upper endslof therods 59 arepprovided with fixed or adjustable abutment iiie'mbers 61v which are so ldisposed that Vthe event fof the iioatrising to a predetermined point `due to `wearlof the pivot points of the lazy tongs the togglev members'will;

be positively actuated.

i llO VWhilst preferred forms `oft-heinvention *l have vbeen described herein, it rwill be obvious that various modifications andfalterations may be made in the construction'and arrangespecificA We Claim r.-

l. A hydraulically operated air compressor comprising a chamber having inlet and discharge pipes projecting thereinto and having closed ends, a sleeve valve oscillatively mounted on the ends of the inlet and diccharge pipes, ports in the inlet and discharge f pipes adapted to register with co-acting ports ing with valve chambers disposed within the compressor chamber, a sleevewvaive oscillatively mounted on the valve chambers, ports in the valve chambers adapted to register with co-acting ports in the sleeve valve, float controlled mechanism for periodically actuating the sleeve valve to piace the inlet and discharge pipes alternately in communication with the compressor chamber, and valve controlled air inlet and outlet ports in the upper end of the compressor chamber. 3. A hydraulically operatedair compressor comprising a cylindrical compressor chamber having pipes for supplying water under pressure to and for discharging it from the lower end thereof, a cylindrical pipe located within the compressor chamber and -connected to the inlet and discharge pipes, a central partition in the cylindrical pipe, ports in the cylindrical pipe on each side ofthe partition, a sleeve valve surrounding the cylindrical pipe and having ports therein adapted to be placed in register with the ports in the cylindrical pipe, float controlled mechanism for periodically actuating the sleeve valve whereby the inlet and discharge pipes can be alternately placed in communication with the interior of the compressor chamber, and valve controlled air inlet and out-let ports inthe upper end of the compressor chamber. i

4. A hydraulically operated air compressor n comprising a compressor chamber having cylindrical valve chambers therein communicating with pipes for supplying water under pressure to and for discharging it from` the compressor chamber, a sleeve valve oscillatively mounted on the valve chambers and having ports therein adapted to register with ports in the said valve chambers, float controlled mechanism for periodically actuating the sleeve valve to place the inlet and discharge pipes alternately in communication with the compressor chamber, and valve controlled air inlet and discharge ports in the upper end of the compressor chamber.

5. In a hydraulically operated air c0mpressor according to claim 4, a pair of jaws projecting radially from the sleeve valve, an oscillatively mounted arm loosely engaged by y connection between laesst@ the jaws, a curved arm having a fixed relationship with the first mentioned arm, a coaXially arranged interfitting plunger and tubular member connecting the free endA of the second mentioned arm to a pivot located on the opposite side of the sleeve valve tothatl upon which the arms are mounted, a spring exerting opposing pressures between the j plunger and tubular member, a rod connected to an arm iixedly associated with the first mentioned arm, abutinents on the rod, and a ioat slidably mounted on the said rod be- 4arm or lever having a fixed relationship with the first mentioned arms, and a lostmotion the third arm and the float. n

7. A hydraulically operated air compressor according to claim 2, wherein the valve ports communicating with the discharge pipe are of greater dimensions than the ports in the valve communicating with the inlet pipe. In witnesswhereof we hereunto afIiX our signatures.

AUBREY CARLYLE JAMIESON. JGHN FRANCIS GARDINER.

VVLLIAM JOHN MCDONALD.

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